Verner Zevola Reed

Verner Zevola Reed (October 13, 1863 – April 20, 1919) was an American capitalist, mediator, lecturer, and author. He became one of Colorado's most important and enterprising pioneers and played an important role in Colorado's early history and became one of the state's wealthiest citizens. and attended two terms at the Eastern Iowa Normal School. He began writing promotional brochures for tourists. He then owned and operated a real estate office. Over his career, he was also involved in banking, manufacturing, ranching, land reclamation, and irrigation enterprises in Colorado, Wyoming, and other states.

Personal life Reed lived with his family until 1893, when he married Mary (Johnson) Reed.

He died in Coronado, California on April 20, 1919. He left his wife an estate valued at approximately $20 million which she used in the pursuit of various philanthropic endeavors in the Colorado community, such as Margery Reed Hall and construction of a new library on the campus of the University of Denver. The Denver Post once cited her as "Colorado's richest widow". Although she gave a lot of money to philanthropic endeavors, she was able to add $6 million to the estate before she died in 1945.